UNIVERSITY PARK -- The SMU-TCU rivalry dates to 1915 though it took 31 years for the iron skillet to be introduced. An SMU fan was frying frog legs before the annual matchup and an upset TCU fan suggested a bet over the skillet. Other than a period in the 1970s and 80s when it went missing, the skillet has been passed to each year's winner ever since.

But it's resided exclusively in Fort Worth since 2012. Five years in a row TCU has beaten SMU in the Battle for the Iron Skillet. Not a single player on the SMU roster has had the opportunity to touch the antique kitchenware.

For seniors like defensive end Justin Lawler, Saturday's game against the Horned Frogs is their last chance to do so.

"It'd mean a lot. It's been a while since we've done it," Lawler said. "It'd be a good one for us seniors to kind of go out bringing the skillet back to Dallas."

The five best games in the history of the SMU-TCU rivalry

SMU's mantra this season is that whatever game is next is the most important on the schedule because it's the one currently in the way of the team's goals.

For TCU week, though, the coaching staff is willing to break from the pattern. It's a little more personal for defensive line coach Buddy Wyatt. He played at TCU from 1986-89 and was a graduate assistant there to start his coaching career in 1991.

"He tells us every year that this one means a lot for him, as well, because you want to beat your alma mater," Lawler said. "This rivalry means a lot to SMU in general."

So getting this Iron Skillet win for his senior class -- players who bought into his new culture after the coaching change early in their SMU careers -- is significant to head coach Chad Morris, too.

"It is a trophy game," Morris said. "As a coach you always look forward to being a part of games like that."

But he also sees it as an opportunity for his program.

Morris was quick to point out Tuesday that this TCU team is the best he's seen in three years at SMU. The No. 20 Horned Frogs, who beat the Mustangs last season 33-3, return 17 of 22 starters from a year ago. Like SMU, TCU started the year 2-0, including a 28-3 road win over Arkansas.

The TCU defense is about to give the SMU offense a tough midterm exam

"This team is worthy right now of the Top 20 ranking they've got," Morris said of TCU. "A great opportunity for our guys to see where we are with our program coming into our third year."

Morris believes this is the best SMU team he's had, and so far the results back that up. The Mustangs are 2-0 for the first time since 2009. The rushing defense is ranked 16th in the country in yards allowed per game and the red zone offense is tied for first in conversion percentage.

A win over a Top 20 team, let alone SMU's oldest rival, would be a different kind of validation, though.

"What would it mean to go over there and beat an opponent that's been at the top of college football since 2005?" Morris asked. "To go over there and get a win would be huge for our program."

It's the Battle for the Iron Skillet. The reasons may vary, but it always means a little more.